2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 vs. 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Comparison
Do you ever wonder where this is all going to end? More power, bigger wings, better aero, fatter tires. Remember when the ’90s Porsche 911 Turbo and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 hit 400 horsepower? We thought we were all going to die. Yet now we’re close to doubling that. What hath the demon seed of technology
Do you ever wonder where this is all going to end? More power, bigger wings, better aero, fatter tires. Remember when the ’90s Porsche 911 Turbo and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 hit 400 horsepower?
We thought we were all going to die. Yet now we’re close to doubling that. What hath the demon seed of technologyWith such existential theorizing in mind, we present the ever-rising top of the upward spiral: the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 with ZTK package and the 2018 Porsche GT2 RS Weissach Edition.
As a result of my long racing career and introduction to the inner workings of Porsche Motorsport when I had a factory contract, plus my 10 seasons of track testing with Motor Trend, I have followed firsthand with interest and wonder the twists and turns of this steady progression of technology and performance.
These supercars are the highest evolution of their own long lineages and make claim to being at the top of the aforementioned spiral in the entire major automaker universe, as well.
Let’s start with the ZR1, because ‘Murica! Today’s ‘Vette is the last of the C7 generation, created directly out of the C6, tracing its history back to the 2005 model year. The standard engine then was the 6.0-liter LS2, rated at 400 hp, later upping to 430 with the 6.2-liter LS3. In response to the ever-swelling output of its American V-10 rival Dodge Viper, the C6 ZR1 fired a major salvo in the dyno wars with its 638-horse supercharged Blower-Under-Glass (with see-through hood bulge). A couple years later came the Z06, with 650 horses and a strong tendency to overheat—both the engine’s vital fluids and the intake air temps—when driven at pro speeds on track (something I discovered on my first three laps at a Road Atlanta press day). This track-oriented model was simply not ready for prime time, though it’s true that more conservative owners were able to successfully track their Z06s at a milder pace.
This leads us to the latest ZR1 and its top-dawg 755-hp LT5. The challenge for the Corvette team was to simultaneously improve the speed and the cooling of the Z06/Z07 we know and love. Tough task, because those two goals pull the needle in opposite directions. More power equals more heat. To address this, five new radiators have been added, resulting in far better cooling. On track, temps still get warm, but during my time at the wheel, the needles never speared the red zones.
Compare that to the Porsche GT2 RS. Right up front, it’s more than twice as much moolah—if you can find one to buy. But it’s also a new pinnacle in the long and brilliant history of the 911. For 15 years, I was up to my ears racing them. I started racing just as the water-cooled cars were coming to market. With far superior control of engine temperatures and four-valves-per-cylinder breathing, the 996 made far more power than the venerable fan-and-fin-cooled flat-sixes.
But a funny thing happened. After years of working so hard to reduce the famous oversteering tendencies of the rear-engine 911—culminating with my now second-favorite 911 chassis to drive, the 993—the oversteer was back. The 996 was twitchy and loose and dicey. New generation, back to the drawing board. I raced with both versions on my teams at Alex Job Racing and with Greg Fordahl Motorsports in the early 2000s, and I saw how the old 993 RSR would kill the new 911 GT3 R in the corners with stable, usable grip but get smoked down the straights by the newer car’s four-valve urge and slick, low-drag aero.
Why the history lesson? To explain why I’m so excited about the new GT2 RS. It’s the first 911 since 1999 that truly takes advantage of its rearward weight distribution and turns its copious torque into acceleration. It’s my hope that this will be the new paradigm.
Hennessey one-ups only themselves with the Silverado-based Goliath 6×6.
Texas-based tuners Hennessey Performance are back with another piece of pure pickup truck insanity. This time, the Goliath 6×6 package upgrades a base Chevy Silverado Trail Boss Z71 with power and drivetrain components that best even its Ford-based VelociRaptor stablemate.
Looking for a new Silverado? Call our Customer Care Team today at 630-898-9630.
Much like its VelociRaptor predecessor, the Goliath brings a stunning 6×6 layout to the market, with two rear axles in place of the more standard dually layout. Much of the Goliath’s exterior remains relatively unchanged in terms of outright design aesthetic, as Hennessey has chosen simply to extend the rear fender flares and truck bed rather than introduced unique body panel lines of their own.
Of course, as if the truck’s size alone weren’t enough to make it obviously a Hennessey creation, massive lettering across the front grille has replaced the original Silverado’s Chevrolet logo. Other exterior changes include custom Hennessey 20-inch wheels shod in BFG 37-inch off-road tires, which combined with an eight-inch lift helps to maintain the proportions of the underlying Silverado rather than making it look simply stretched out at the rear.
Hennessey also throws on a rollbar on the extended truck bed, an LED light bar above the cabin, and quad exhaust tips integrated into a Hennessey-specific rear bumper. The specific Silverado Trail Boss Z71 model comes with the otherwise off-road specific details like tow hooks as well as black fenders and trim details.
All four Chevrolet Silverado concepts will be showcased at the SEMA show in Las Vegas next month.
Chevrolet has unveiled a selection of concept trucks that will debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas next month, each designed to showcase the plethora of personalization options available for the all-new 2019 Silverado pickup.
Looking for a gorgeous new Silverado? Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 for the latest incentives.
First up is the 2019 High Country concept, which takes the already luxurious High Country to the next level. Currently on display at the Texas State Fare, Chevrolet’s concept features a two-inch suspension lift and bronze exterior accents applied to the grille and 22-inch wheels. Customers will be able to replicate the look and functionality of the concept with available accessories and performance parts, including six-piston Brembo front brakes with color-matched rear calipers, a 6.2-liter cat-back dual exit exhaust, and a cold-air intake upgrade.
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Why not save with Chevrolet? Not only do you need less money down, your payment would be approx. $60 LESS PER MONTH on a new 2018 Equinox LT versus a new 2018 Honda CR-V. And, if you chose to upgrade to a new 2019 Equinox you would still SAVE approx. $30 per month compared to an ’18 Honda.
We can customize an Equinox lease just for you and your driving needs. Need more miles? No problem? Want to put $0 down? No problem. Want only 24 months? No problem.
If you are looking for an affordable Crossover with plenty of style, put Chevrolet Equinox on your short list. Or better yet, call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 and arrange a V.I.P. demonstration.
Thanks for investigating and reading about the 2018 or 2019 Equinox lease versus Honda CR-V. We hope to see you soon.
*Payments figured using Chevrolet’s Conquest rebate incentive.
When Chevrolet announced the 2019 Malibu RS at this year’s New York Auto Show, the automaker said the sport-ish sedan should come in around $25,000. Seems that hint was only five dollars off. Cars Direct found an order guide showing that the appearance package for the midsize sedan will roll out the door for $24,120 plus an $875 destination charge, for $24,995 total. That makes the Malibu RS exactly $1,000 more than the lower LS trim, which needs $23,995 after destination.
Looking for a sexy sedan that’s affordable too? Give our Customer Care Team a call at 630-898-9630 to arrange your V.I.P. Demonstration Drive.
All 2019 Malibus benefit from a facelift that reworks the front and rear fascias. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 163 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque will be mated to a CVT instead of the current six-speed automatic, the brand’s first use of a CVT in a non-hybrid model outside of the subcompact Spark. Inside, the infotainment screens grow an inch to eight inches, and get the new Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. On top of that, the Malibu RS adds a black sport grille and black Bowties, black mirror caps, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust, and 18-inch wheels. Interior upgrades are limited to a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to go with black cloth seats.
Chevy’s entry into the field of more aggressive mid-sizers slides under the prices of the $26,470 Toyota Camry SE and $26,675 Honda Accord Sport. Among the dwindling models on offer, the truly sporty Mazda6 Sport limbos beneath the Malibu RS, at $23,895.
Looking for something more rugged and more capable than a normal sedan? If you were primarily looking at a midsize pickup truck for your next car, you can’t go wrong with the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado.
2018 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is designed to appeal to genuine truck fans. This is the vehicle to buy if you really want a pickup truck but don’t need the earth-moving capabilities of a full-size monster. What we really like about the Colorado is the aggressive and rugged styling. We also like the comfortable cabin and the car-like driving feel. It may look tough on the outside, but it is no harder to drive than a regular compact car.
Looking for your own Colorado? Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or visit us online anytime.
As expected from an American Pickup truck, the 2018 Chevy Colorado is available in a bewildering array of trims. It is available in crew-cab and extended-cab body styles with a choice between two bed lengths: 5’2” and 6’2”. The base trim starts at around $21,000. It is only available in an extended cab body style but it comes with a powerful 2.5-liter four cylinder motor that produces 200 horsepower and 191 foot-pounds of torque to drive the rear wheels. The base trim comes with a six-speed manual tranny along with a host of standard features which includes air conditioning, four-way power driver seat, six-speaker audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a brilliant 7-inch display unit.
If you need a four-wheel drivetrain, start with the WT or Work Truck trim. It can be configured as either an extended cab or crew-cab. You can also choose between engine options from a powerful 308-horsepower V6 to a torquey 2.8-liter 181-horsepower diesel mill. You can also choose between the standard manual tranny and a six-speed automatic. The WT also comes with OnStar, 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, cruise control, and remote keyless entry.
When it comes to value for money, we prefer the Colorado LT. It comes with all the standard options including larger 17-inch alloys, a larger 8-inch touchscreen, USB ports, and a leather wrapped tiller. But if it’s our money on the line, we will choose the Z71 trim that comes with chunkier all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, hill descent control, and a locking rear differential. This trim model also comes with electronic traction and stability control, six airbags, rearview camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado can be a rugged workhorse or refined cruiser. It handles much better than other trucks we tested. The steering is not as accurate and lacks the necessary feedback when driven in the open highway but redeems itself when the roads get rough. The V6 motor is our preferred engine choice but wouldn’t mind counting the miles behind the smooth and silky torque delivery of the 2.8-liter diesel motor. The Colorado with the diesel engine can tow a maximum weight of 7,700 lbs.
What’s really surprising is the ride quality. The Colorado rides better than other full-size trucks. The suspension tuning is on the firmer side of the spectrum but it’s not as bouncy or as harsh as we expected. This makes the Colorado the perfect compact pickup truck for mundane city driving. For the perfect balance between work and play, the Colorado can do no wrong.
Thanks for reading about the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado.
I was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California and wanted something to work on, then sell. I bought this Camaro because it had drivetrain and transmission upgrades, which I could advertise. But it needed work. It didn’t run, the paint was faded, interior pieces were missing, the carburetor needed to be rebuilt, and there was no exhaust. The original sticker with the model name was ripped off the console, but I know it’s an ’88 Camaro. The suspension and a few other markers make me think it’s an IROC-Z, but even now, I’m not sure what the exact model is.
I did everything except for the paint in my own garage—seats from a 2001 Camaro, new sound system, a few engine upgrades. I made everything real clean, then put it up for sale. I had so many people test-drive it before someone made a legitimate offer, and—I declined. I had fallen in love with the car. I was sentimental.
When I got orders to move to Texas for military training, I towed it behind my truck. On the way, I unloaded and spent a day driving the Camaro around the Grand Canyon. I was passing a beautiful view and this family outside their RV having lunch all turned their heads, looked, and gave me the thumbs-up. I would have never expected someone at that beautiful site to admire a car. Now, if the Camaro gets sold, it’ll be after I’m gone.
If you need parts to restore your ride, call our Part’s Department at 630-898-9630 or visit them online.
I don’t envy the engineers and designers who endlessly toil on new vehicle development. In a perfect world, these passionate and talented men and women would have all the money and time in the world to do the job right. Instead, they’re beholden to managers and shareholders—those looking out for production schedules and the bottom line. If a new car, truck, or SUV is done right, critics and consumers alike shouldn’t ever notice that it’s been rushed or is missing something. Despite many massive leaps forward for the lineup, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado could’ve perhaps benefited from a little extra time before the talented team behind it had to put its pencils down.
Have questions about a new Chevy? Call our customer care team at 630-898-9630.
We had a couple weeks to sample three 2019 Silverado variants, each outfitted with a new-for-2019 Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) V-8, a crew cab, and short (5-foot-7) bed. Despite the similarities in body style, each truck fits a wildly different niche. Our volume player was an all-wheel-drive Silverado RST equipped with the new 5.3-liter DFM V-8, which makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic. Covering the off-road end of the spectrum was a Silverado LT Trail Boss, which had the same engine and transmission as the Silverado RST but with proper four-wheel drive, a 2-inch suspension lift, and knobby off-road tires. For the increasingly profitable luxury truck segment, we had a Silverado High Country, which was powered by the new DFM 6.2-liter V-8 making 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic with four-wheel drive.
There are four Silverado engines we’ve yet to sample: a carryover 4.3-liter V-6 and six-speed auto; the carryover Active Fuel Management (AFM) 5.3-liter V-8, which confusingly makes just as much power as the new version but is paired with a six-speed auto; and a new 310-hp 2.7-liter turbocharged I-4 and 3.0-liter turbodiesel I-6.
Aside from the new DFM V-8s (which, unlike the old AFM V-8s, are capable of running in 17 cylinder configurations versus the AFM’s V-4 mode), the 2019 Silverados benefit from a new platform, body work, and cabin. The Silverado wears its extra 4 inches of length well. Each variant of the Silverado looks distinctive, especially our Trail Boss tester with its blacked-out nose and bright red tow hooks. Even more impressive is the work Chevy did to the back end of the truck. Thanks to new manufacturing techniques, the Silverado’s bed is 7 inches wider (without increasing the truck’s actual width), and cargo volume in the bed expands significantly. Chevy also increased the number of standard tie-downs in the bed—three in each corner for a total of 12—a move we hope other truck makers follow. If for some reason you need more, the Silverado’s bed can also accept optional Gear On tie-downs.
The Silverado is rated to haul up to 2,190 pounds with the 5.3-liter DFM engine or 2,100 pounds with the 6.2-liter engine. It can tow up to 11,600 pounds with the 5.3 or 12,200 pounds with the 6.2. Max payload capacity is 2,500 pounds with the V-6.
At the test track, the new Silverado puts up test numbers competitive with the rival Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. Unsurprisingly, the slowest of our Silverados were our 5.3-liter V-8 testers. The street-going and off-road-ready Silverado RST and Silverado Trail Boss traded blows in our instrumented acceleration tests. The Silverado Trail Boss was quicker to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, needing 6.4 seconds to the RST’s 6.6 seconds, but the Silverado RST caught up by the end of the quarter mile, its 14.9-second run at 94.6 mph just edging out the Trail Boss’ 15.0 seconds at 93.2 mph for the quarter mile.
Both were about neck and neck when we hitched an 8,300-pound trailer to them, too. You can get the full breakdown of all our test numbers in the chart below, but in the most important towing metrics—quarter mile and 45-65-mph passing acceleration—the Silverado Trail Boss was more impressive. It took 20.9 seconds to get down the quarter mile at 67.6 mph and needed 9.5 seconds to accelerate from 45 to 65 mph. The Silverado RST needed 21.2 seconds to clear the quarter mile at 66.7 mph and 9.9 seconds in our 45-65 passing tests.
With an extra 65 horsepower and 77 lb-ft of torque on tap, it’s not surprising that the 6.2-liter-equipped Silverado High Country outperformed the other two Silverados. When equipped with this optional engine, the Silverado High Country accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and runs the quarter in 14.4 seconds at 98.3 mph. With the same 8,300-pound trailer hitched to its bumper, the High Country runs the quarter mile in 19.7 seconds at 71.5 mph and needs just 7.8 seconds in the 45-65 pass tests.
Let’s start with the ZR1, because ‘Murica! Today’s ‘Vette is the last of the C7 generation, created directly out of the C6, tracing its history back to the 2005 model year. The standard engine then was the 6.0-liter LS2, rated at 400 hp, later upping to 430 with the 6.2-liter LS3. In response to the ever-swelling output of its American V-10 rival Dodge Viper, the C6 ZR1 fired a major salvo in the dyno wars with its 638-horse supercharged Blower-Under-Glass (with see-through hood bulge). A couple years later came the Z06, with 650 horses and a strong tendency to overheat—both the engine’s vital fluids and the intake air temps—when driven at pro speeds on track (something I discovered on my first three laps at a Road Atlanta press day). This track-oriented model was simply not ready for prime time, though it’s true that more conservative owners were able to successfully track their Z06s at a milder pace.
Hennessey one-ups only themselves with the Silverado-based Goliath 6×6.
Looking for your own Colorado? Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or 
When it comes to value for money, we prefer the Colorado LT. It comes with all the standard options including larger 17-inch alloys, a larger 8-inch touchscreen, USB ports, and a leather wrapped tiller. But if it’s our money on the line, we will choose the Z71 trim that comes with chunkier all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, hill descent control, and a locking rear differential. This trim model also comes with electronic traction and stability control, six airbags, rearview camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
